Crazy as a coconut

I am going to share a few basic facts about coconuts and why they are so amazing. In this blog, I will talk about the various coconuts products - and how they can be useful from cooking to camping.

Before I begin, please be mindful that if you are new to coconut products, do not start 'over' consuming coconut oil in your diet. Coconut oil is not digested in the same way as other fats. It does not need bile to digest, as it is directly absorbed. If you are not used to coconut oil, this direct absorption may cause a tummy ache or two if you are all of a sudden filling your digestive system with the stuff for the first time. I suggest that you start off with only a couple of tablespoons of coconut each day and see how your go. Slowly increase this over time.

Me up a coconut tree

Here are basic coconut products and common uses are written in blue:

• Coconut Oil: White when solid, creamy coloured when liquid. It melts between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. It can be a great temperature gauge!  Coconut oil can be found in most supermarkets and speciality stores. Look for virgin coconut oil, which means that the extraction of oil did not involve high heat or harmful chemicals. Aim to pay less than 2c/ml of virgin coconut cold pressed oil made from the flesh and not copra. Copra oil will be described as 'refined' or 'just plain'. Avoid this oil. Coconut oil made from copra usually involves the use of harsh chemicals to bleach and clean the oil. At the moment, I purchase 5L of virgin coconut oil for $62 - this is on the Sunshine Coast. USES: Unlike olive oil, coconut oil can withstand higher heats so it is great to cook with. Common everyday uses for coconut oil include, add to baked goods, stir frys, stews, desserts, add to your tea and coffee and drinks such as smoothies and juices. Mary Enig (author of Eat Fat Lose Fat) recommends making an oil blend by heating 1 cup of coconut oil with 1 cup of sesame oil and 1 cup of olive oil. This will give you a great oil to use in everyday cooking without an overwhelming coconut flavour. You can even use this for salads.

• Coconut Milk: When coconut flesh is pulverised in water and squeezed, a rich creamy liquid drips out of the meat - this is coconut milk. Slightly sweeter and creamier than cows milk it is best to use whole coconut milk and not 'lite' versions. USES: Can be used to make smoothies (combine with full cream milk if the flavour is too overpowering), very common in curries and stews, can be frozen with fruit to make ice cream, use in your coffee or pancakes, use when making oats etc. Simply use coconut milk instead of 'cows' milk in any recipe or dish.

• Coconut Cream: Coconut milk, when left standing will separate into coconut cream (top) and a watery liquid (on the bottom). For this reason, coconut cream contains less water and is a thicker creamier liquid. USES: Whip chilled coconut cream to ice cakes, have on pancakes or with fresh fruit. For a thicker creamier taste - add to curries and stews etc.

• Coconut Water: Coconut water is the clear sweet liquid inside young coconuts, usually around 7 months old. USES: great beverage to add to smoothies or juices or just on ice with fresh lime, lemon or orange. A great hydrating drink to use after exercising. Freeze into ice cubes to add to any drink this summer!

• Desiccated Coconut: Desiccated Coconut is the coconut meat shredded or flaked very coarsely and then dried to remove as much moisture as possible. Dessicated coconut can be very fine or coarse depending on the process used. Be careful as some dessicated coconut can be 'sweetened' - so read all packaging carefully before buying so that you get the product that you're after.
• Shredded Coconut: A thicker version of dessicated coconut - shredded coconut is long thin shreds and flaked coconut is wider and thicker again. USES (shredded and dessicated): add to muesli, sprinkle on fruit, add to smoothies for texture, sprinkle on cakes and baked goods, dress savoury foods too!

• Coconut Butter: This is made from whole coconut flesh with all the fats and solids included. The oil and flesh meld together to made a creamy texture that spreads well. USES: spread on toast, pancakes, waffles etc, mix with peanut butter or honey to create your own 'spread', spread on a cob of corn and add to muesli bars etc

• Coconut Flour: Put simply, this is dried, ground up coconut meat. The difference between this and dessicated coconut is that the fat has been removed from coconut flour as part of processing. USES: Coconut flour DOES NOT perform the same as grain based flours.It absorbs moisture quickly and is NOT equivalent to grain based flours so do not simply 'substitute it'. My suggestion is to follow a recipe that is designed with coconut flour to begin with.

• Creamed Coconut: This is pure coconut flesh pulverised and moulded into blocks and is hard unlike coconut cream which comes in a can as a liquid. You can use creamed coconut in very much the same way you use coconut cream - just melt it down first.

Using Coconuts outside the kitchen

When you use coconut oil on your skin for the first time, you may notice a small outbreak of small pimples, but this is actually a cleansing effect, and it soon clears up. For skin care, be sure to use virgin coconut oil as it has not been treated with harsh chemicals (Eat Fat Lose Fat, Dr Mary Enig & Sally Fallon, 2006., p.283)

Keep a separate container or bottle of coconut oil that you plan to use for 'beauty' reasons so that your fingers are not dipping in and out of the jar and then being used for cooking.

Bath Oil: Simply add to your bath with a few drops of essential oil - melt some coconut oil, add essential oils and put into a jar to have in your bathroom. You could add some fresh lavender for some texture and it looks pretty. This makes a great homemade gift.

After bath moisturiser: After a bath, rub some coconut oil into your skin - it'll feel so soft!

Make Up Remover: Coconut Oil is also great for removing make up!

Body Scrub: Mix coconut oil with brown sugar for a sweet body scrub.

Lip Balm: Keeping some in a small container for lip balm will keep your lips hydrated. Just be mindful that heat will liquify this lip balm so be careful when you open up your jar that it hasn't melted.

Facial Moisturiser: Simply use a small amount and massage into your face - be mindful of doing this and staying out of the sun!

Foot Treatment: Mix some coconut oil with some peppermint oil and rub all over your feet including dry spots. Put on a pair of socks and keep on overnight. Add salt to make it a foot scrub and moisturizer before you shower.

Hair Treatment: Rub coconut oil into your hair, leave on for 15+ minutes and rinse. You can also mix it with your own shampoo or conditioner

Fungal Infections: Mix 1 cup of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil - great for fungal infections and rashes

Warts: Warts will often disappear after applying coconut oil to them several times a day.

Insect Repellent: If you'd like to stay away from insecticides such as DEET (commonly found in insect repellents) make your own. Simply mix 1 cup of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of catnip oil and 1 teaspoon of other oil such as citronella, lemongrass, peppermint or tans. (Dr Mary Enig & Sally Fuller)

Deodorant: Simply use under the arm for a natural deodorant that won't stain your clothes!

If you would like to read about the medicinal (both traditional and modern) benefits of coconuts visit the Coconut Research Center website.

At my one of my favourite places... Chili Beach, Cape York
Coconut heaven!

Sugar is not love

I am happy to say that my enthusiasm and interest in the health and well being of my family is only strengthening. The more I read about our nutition, the more I am intrigued to find that next book.

 So far, my sugar free lifestyle has been a relatively easy transition (never thought a once sugar addict could ever say that!). Apart from the occasional craving for sugar, sugar is no longer an issue. 



The two smallest (and most important) reasons
 why sugar is no longer in our lives.



I just finished reading 'Little Sugar Addicts', which is a must for anyone with children in their care. What I took from this book was about our childrens ability to maintain a sense of 'calm' and how food affects their behaviour. I have learnt to make sure that there is sufficient protein in Ruby's diet and she has a source of protein with every meal and every snack. Peanuts, cheese, eggs and meat are examples of these. I can see now when Ruby is running 'low' by her moods. She becomes upset, frustrated, emotional and/or tired and I know now to give her something to eat containing protein. It has made me more aware of how often she eats and what she is eating. She eats at regular intervals and I insist on this. I know that if dinner is running late and it has been a while since her afternoon tea to give her some crackers with peanut butter on them. It has made an INSTANT change in her behaviour. It is like reading a book and knowing the contents page! I am very impressed. Ruby was already eating very well, but this is just improving that even more.

  I also read a section in the book about 'special occasions'. It talks about being prepared and planning for occasions where there will be an abundance of sugar (Easter, Christmas, Birthdays etc). It got me thinking about how I was going to cope with my two children on these occasions.

Click on my reading
list for my book review

Easter is easy, I've already thought about it - no more filling up the basket with sugar, but instead books, clothes, games and any other Easter/bunny/egg material.

Christmas - that is also pretty easy, just make sure Ruby and William have enough 'good food' in front of them first and talk about it with them both beforehand.

But birthdays is more difficult for me to comprehend. I have read that beating the sugar addiction for children means no more birthday cakes - to break the 'tradition', but my husband and I have been talking about it and I'm not sure if it will be that easy. After all, it isn't just her birthday that we're talking about, it is everyone elses too. Anyhow, this is still a topic that I'm deep in thought about. I know that when Ruby has her 4th birthday next year, I will be working my magic in creating a sugar free party for her and her friends and I'm happy with that - I'm just not sure about the whole cake thing. Do birthday parties always have to have a traditional cake?


Who wants to live
happily ever after?

My answer is NO.



 I love Ruby and for her 4th birthday next year, I will show her that I love her by feeding her healthy nutritious food that she will feel good eating (both before and after!). I know that some people will read this and think 'oh, poor Ruby.... she's gotta have cake on her birthday' and may even think that I'm too disciplined. But, I'm not saying 'no' to cake. I'm saying no to the traditional sugar filled cake with a party full of cupcakes, lolly bags, soft drinks and chocolate. I want to create a birthday party where Ruby and her friends have a fantastic time playing, eating, drinking and celebrating without the sugar. It is possible.

Google 'sugar free parties' before
your next party

One of the most important things in all of this though is having the support of friends and family. It wouldn't be easy if my friends and family rocked up with soft drink and donuts. So far, most people in my life have accepted and respected our choices, but occasionally, I have to smile and relax as Ruby is offered a sugary treat. When this happens, Ruby looks straight at me as if to say "Mum, can I have it?". I know she wants it, but she isn't sure what to do because she knows that 'mummy doesn't approve becaise it is not good for her'.  I'm not sure how I feel about all this. The angel on my left shoulder is telling me that I am doing the right thing by saying 'no' to her having that cupcake but the little devil on my right is saying 'give it to her...she's only three". And this is the dilemma I am faced with. Most times I compromise. She can have the cupcake after she eats her lunch, (which is always nutritious). That way, we have met half. The last thing I want is for my daugther to be shoving her face with cupcake as she hides in the bathroom! Luckily, this doesn't happen very often, so I just go with it when it does.

Sugar is not love

The book also talks about how we relate sugar to 'love'. Our society says "I Love You" with sugar and I hate that!!!!   I love you, so I bought you a block of chocolate......I love you, and baked this double chocolate mud cake with chocolate icing on it... I love you....so I bought us a packet of chocolate biscuits to have with the movie tonight. This is why we have so many options of 'chocolate gift boxes' and you can even buy a chocolate bouquet! This is why we have birthday parties for kids FILLED with sugar treats and a big fat sugar cake. Because we love them and we want them to be happy and feel good. There is a reason why chocolate makes us feel so good. DId you know that eating choclate makes you happy because it contains phenylephylamine - the same hormone the brain triggers when you fall in love. This is science!
These traditions are poisoning our children and our children's children. We need to step away from the sugar bowl and start opening our minds to creating healthy nutritious meals and snacks for all occasions.

2 months on and going strong!

I just can't believe I'm here... at the two month mark. I remember at the start thinking.... Mmm... am I going to be able to do this? For how long? How will I cope without all this excess sugar?

Goodbye weetbix with honey

But here I am eight and a half weeks later with no intentions of going back. Neither does my husband. My daughter has been great too. The only thing Ruby has asked for is honey - which we no longer have in our pantry. I know when she asks for it, that it is simply her brain giving her a signal of 'feed me sugar'... but she's getting over it. I must admit...all these years of having weetbix and honey was one of the hardest habits to break, for all of us.

Did you know that my newborn son William, who was born prematurely was given sucrose (sugar without the calories) before his eye procedures? Babies are routinely given this dose before ome procedures as it 'supposedly reduces the pain'. If only I was more informed back then. I would have much preferred for him to have a dose of breast milk! What chance do our kids really have when our trained doctors and medical staff are giving sugar to infants and children. Can you ever remember leaving the doctors or denist and being given a jellybean for being brave? Oh please! Fore more information on this, simply Google 'sucrose to newborns' or click here to read an article written by the Guardian as part of their medical research news.

Just keep reading, just keep reading...

I think that one of the keys to keeping so motivated is that I am constantly reading books or research online. There is so much data and so much research about how serious sugar addiction is, that eating sugar is no longer an option. To me, after reading so much about sugar, it is on par with cigarettes. I wouldn't give my daughter a cigarette and I won't be giving her sugar either. In most of the books I read, there is lots of references to laboratories testing sugar on rats. Did you know that when rats were exposed to cocaine and sugar, 94% of the rats chose sugar. Even those rats previously addicted to cocaine chose sugar when given the choice. Click here for one website which talks about this, however you'll find this information repeated in most books and medical journals worldwide.

I still have the very rare craving for something sweet, but I stick to the same motto as I did in the early days "fill my body with so much of the good stuff that there is no room for the bad stuff". It works. I sat in the bakery yesterday feeding my son and it was the first time I was able to look at all the cakes, slices, biscuits and sweets and see nothing but poison and I had no desire to buy anything.

I know that some people will think that I'm being a bit 'extreme' or 'too disciplined', especially with my daughter, but I challenge those people to actually pick up a book and read about sugar - do some research and then see what you think. I am making an educated decision, based on research, data and statistics and I've never felt healthier. I feel great. I have so much energy (suprising since I feed my son every 3 hours), I am not moody, I have a clear head, no bloating and I feel in sync with my body.

I am currently now reading 'Suicide by sugar; written by Nancy Appleton (who also wrote Lick the Sugar Habit - which is sitting on my bookshelf ready to read next). She speaks very frankly about sugar addiction and talks about how she used to be sick for most of her life until she quit sugar. I am only half way through and will add it to my reading list when finished.

I also read an interesting news article this morning about a bear in America who broke into a shop and ate nothing but chocolate. The bear made seven trips inside the store, taking chocolate and eating it outside before being scared away by a car. To read the full story click here . My first thought after reading this was about how the bear could very well be addicted to sugar. If he is, where will he get his next fix?